Let me preface this article by saying that we are a little embarrassed the way they overdramatized our life. We really only experienced 1 tragedy, and that was losing Noah. The Hurricane put us on a once-in-a-lifetime adventure, the oil spill was a road bump and we got through it much better than a lot of others. After seeing what happened in Japan with the earthquake and tsunami, I can hardly call some of what we have went through tragedies. They did do a nice job of writing the article …

As you know Sharon’s nanny passed away recently. One of the things that most affected Nanny when she was alive was when we lost Noah. She, along with Glenda and Bump raced down here from Maryland to be at our side. Nanny had been looking forward to Noah’s birth with such excitement that she was devastated when she learned of his passing. She kept a photo by her bed of him from then on.

Today I lost a grandmother. Not my blood relative grandmother, but my grandmother nonetheless. Pauline Jessie Conner, affectionately known as Nanny, was Sharon’s grandmother and our Nora Jessie Hamilton’s namesake. Nanny was truly the glue that bound the family together, a true matriarch so this past week has been so hard on the family.

This is a beach town I have visited several times before and really enjoyed it. It has a totally different pace than Pensacola Beach, TOTALLY! Now that can be good or bad, depending on what you are looking for. Ocean City lacks any secluded beach areas like Pensacola has. But it has a very large boardwalk that stretches for 2.5 miles and dates back to 1902 and is recognized as one of the best Boardwalk’s in the country. It is non-stop shops, restaurants, hotels and bars complete with a rather …

16 National Parks, 18 States, and 6,588 miles and Countless Hours of Driving.

That is what a journey we are dreaming of doing will entail. A journey that will take us across the United States from Florida to Washington. We anticipate hitting every National Park in our path, as well as all the Dog Parks, Brewpubs and now playgrounds that we can. Our tenative departure date from Pensacola is April 1, 2012

Tucked away in the Blackwater River State Forest, north of the beaches and far from the hustle and bustle of the tourists, is a magical place called Adventures Unlimited situated on the banks of Coldwater Creek. It is an outdoor enthusiast’s heaven. You can kayak clear, spring-fed creeks, mountain bike the local Black Bear Lake trail, or hike the Juniper Creek trail. And for those that like the rush of adrenaline there is a zip line canopy tour with 14 platforms that allow you to shoot across tree tops and rivers.

Randall Louis Hamilton
“I was born and raised in Loveland Ohio, just outside Cincinnati. I had a very adventurous childhood, and my parents traveled alot with me. I attended the Columbus College of Art and Design, Pensacola Junior College and finally getting my degree in studio arts at the University of West Florida. I have lived in Kentucky, Hawaii, West Virginia and 7 years in Pensacola. Graphic design and photography is my career, painting and drawing is my passion. I currently have a business that encompasses all of my talents, the …

I currently have a business that encompasses all of my talents, the Hamilton Art Agency. I love the outdoors, mountain biking, kayaking and fishing. Beach volleyball being my top choices.

Nature has always been a part of my life and it shows in my art. I love to invite people see the beauty of nature through my eyes.
I have been blessed with many great friends and family. And I could not have not done all I have done with this project without the love and support of my amazing wife …

We make a point to celebrate our little boy Noah’s birthday every year. It is a very hard day for us yet very special and one we look forward to. Sometimes it does not make sense to call it his birthday as he was never born that day. While Sharon did deliver him physically, his spirit had already passed on. He never took a breath.

A ritual we do as a family is got to the same place on the beach and release balloons up to him with Happy Birthday wishes on them. And not to let Nora out we let her send up a pink balloon . . .

A solitary flip-flop sits in the white sand of Pensacola, Florida, with chunky bits of goo spilled on top and to the side like chocolate sauce. The large amount of oil that washed on shore June 23 had just marred the coastline. Randy Hamilton spots the sandal, captures a photo and files it in his archives as specimen 359. Just another lost shoe for his collection of forgotten footwear photos, but this one is different. It speaks to yet another crisis in his land and in his life.
Hamilton still remembers …